What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abysmal
Example
The service at the restaurant was abysmal. [abysmal: adjective]
Example
The team's performance was abysmal, losing every game of the season. [abysmal: adjective]
Example
I felt abysmal after hearing the news of my friend's passing. [abysmal: adjective]
appalling
Example
The conditions in the prison were appalling. [appalling: adjective]
Example
The company's treatment of its employees was appalling, with no regard for their well-being. [appalling: adjective]
Example
I find it appalling that people still discriminate based on race or gender. [appalling: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abysmal is more commonly used than appalling in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of negative situations and qualities. Appalling is less frequently used and more formal, reserved for situations that are particularly shocking or morally reprehensible.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abysmal and appalling?
Appalling is more formal than abysmal and is typically used in more serious or professional contexts, such as legal or academic writing. Abysmal is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
